At the MLA Conference, I also attended the “Embedded
Librarianship” session, and I wanted to add to Heather’s excellent summary the
“Tips for Success” that the presenters gave us.
Have a vision and make sure that vision is shared with other staff, partners, and management.
Make sure you know your system’s policies. For example, do you need a written agreement to enter the partnership or not?
Ask feedback from your partners, and the people you are reaching.
See if volunteers would be allowed to do what the librarians do.
Make sure the relationship does not rely only on one staff member. Have several points of contacts for your partner.
Have ongoing training and meetings to evaluate the strengths of your program and opportunities for growth.
Don’t over commit. Work out the details such as: How many times will you go to the partner’s site, at what time and which days, for how long?
What will your signage and publicity look like.
Look for grant opportunities and long-term budgeting.
Keep track of how many people you talk to, how many books you read and/or give away.
Have hotspots that will allow you to sign up people for a library card.
Expect that some partnerships will evolve or deteriorate, that your staffing level may change, or that you will lose your funding. Always have plans A, B and C to face whatever issue arises.
Make sure you know your system’s policies. For example, do you need a written agreement to enter the partnership or not?
Ask feedback from your partners, and the people you are reaching.
See if volunteers would be allowed to do what the librarians do.
Make sure the relationship does not rely only on one staff member. Have several points of contacts for your partner.
Have ongoing training and meetings to evaluate the strengths of your program and opportunities for growth.
Don’t over commit. Work out the details such as: How many times will you go to the partner’s site, at what time and which days, for how long?
What will your signage and publicity look like.
Look for grant opportunities and long-term budgeting.
Keep track of how many people you talk to, how many books you read and/or give away.
Have hotspots that will allow you to sign up people for a library card.
Expect that some partnerships will evolve or deteriorate, that your staffing level may change, or that you will lose your funding. Always have plans A, B and C to face whatever issue arises.
Sylvie
Merlier-Rowen
Children’s
Department
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